How to remove power pole

[mred2]

If you think there are underground power lines, call before you dig. The utility company here will locate all underground at no charge.

 

[Diggin It]

Turns out, I'm going to have this exact situation. I'll need to move an old telephone pole about 30' to get it and what's on it out from under a very large oak tree. My plan is to dig a trench beside it and lay it over. I hope to have a neighbor drill the new hole and help me stand it back up.

But I need to figure out how to lay it down safely.

I might be able to have the same neighbor use his JD 4230 behind it, chain it to his FEL and push it over. I don't think he can pull it straight up without the trench, but I'm not sure.

 

[grsthegreat]

Turns out, I'm going to have this exact situation. I'll need to move an old telephone pole about 30' to get it and what's on it out from under a very large oak tree. My plan is to dig a trench beside it and lay it over. I hope to have a neighbor drill the new hole and help me stand it back up.

But I need to figure out how to lay it down safely.

I might be able to have the same neighbor use his JD 4230 behind it, chain it to his FEL and push it over. I don't think he can pull it straight up without the trench, but I'm not sure.

whats on the pole?

 

[Diggin It]

Telephone line and a camera, both of which I can easily remove and reinstall, but could be damaged if this large branch over it broke off and fell..

 

[grsthegreat]

Ok, i was wondering if it had power cables attached. I have never moved one with a tractor as i previously stated. Personally i would not want to as im afraid to damage my expensive cab tractor. But as shown here it can be done. Im just too chicken. :chicken::chicken::chicken::chicken::chicken::chicken::chicken::chicken::chicken::chicken:

 

[Mat4644]

We've removed several using method in post #2. Dig out enough on one side for the tractor to push over with FEL. If it's solid it won't break. Always afraid a pole this long could upset a tractor if it's chained to it. If solid the weight will surprise you.

 

[shooterdon]

Richard, I am impressed!!! I am too poor an operator and too chicken to even attempt what you did.

To the OP...it is a pole and not worth risking having an accident to save it IMHO. I would saw it off first.

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks for your answer - ovrszd. Leaning into a tree - man, THAT'S using the 'ol noggin. That one picture certainly shows the hazards that you could encounter using a tractor. The tractor in the pic - doesn't seem to be one listed in your profile. What size Kubota is it??

That was my previous L4400. I think I could have laid the pole on the ground with the M9540. Lot more clearance under the front axle.

 

[ovrszd]

Richard, I am impressed!!! I am too poor an operator and too chicken to even attempt what you did.

To the OP...it is a pole and not worth risking having an accident to save it IMHO. I would saw it off first.

Thanks Don.

It never felt awkward or like it was too much for the tractor. I had to "wiggle" it with the 3pt to get it started upward. My M9540 would handle one easily.

 

[Mat4644]

Power pole weights

 

[Diggin It]

Maybe I can get one of these guys to help:

 

[Gomer pyle]

How much is a new pole? If I'm going to all the trouble to set a pole and then attach stuff to it, I don't want to have to redo it in a couple of years do to it rotting off. A lot of times they pull good and do exactly what you want them to do, i.e. lay down with out flipping, but often times a loader on a tractor can not get high enough to control it after it's pulled or it flips unexpectedly.

 

[Mat4644]

Worth the effort to save if in good shape. They last a very long time. I'd never chain one upright to a bucket . Too long and too much leverage.

 

[Tinhack]

I used a rented backhoe with a 12" bucket when I had to move one on my property. Use the backhoe to dig on ONE side at about a 45 degree angle out from the bottom. I put a safety rope to a metal stake on the opposite side but didn't need it. After I reached the bottom of the pole, I removed the rope and pushed the pole over. It was easy to drag out from there. I dug the new location hole the same way then pushed the pole into the 45 degree trench. Raising the pole was a little more complicated. I had the GF pull a rope attached to my truck while I raised the pole with the loader. That pole is still in use today to power a well. And it's still straight.

Added: That was in January, 1999.

 

[bullbreaker]

Chained it to my 3pt drawbar first and shook it loose and lifted it a couple feet.



View attachment 666555

Richard since you refuse to wear a hard hat , at least next time please consider putting on some goggles ! :laughing:

BTW the secret safety TBN police held a meeting with thoughts about coming to get you over this but it has been determined the statute of limitations had run out .

 

[Diggin It]

I saw a trick used raising a 160' radio tower. The balance point was marked out and a crane was able to stand it straight up, suspended perfectly vertical, then move it into place with such precision that the ground crews could align the nuts on the mounting anchors and tighten them down.

If only I could do that for this pole .....

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Good rule of thumb to remember if a power company set the pole they probably set it to spec and it's universal all across the U.S. 10% of the pole length + 2 feet , so if the pole is 30' it will be set 5' deep , 40' it will be 6' deep and so forth , there will usually be a birthmark stamped on the pole about chest high if it's about the right depth that will have the length and class of pole as well as the manufacturer, type of wood and treatment type.

 

[ovrszd]

Richard since you refuse to wear a hard hat , at least next time please consider putting on some goggles ! :laughing:

BTW the secret safety TBN police held a meeting with thoughts about coming to get you over this but it has been determined the statute of limitations had run out .

Thank God for Statutes.....

 

[Industrial Toys]

I am looking at a 150 foot self support tower. I didn't figure a crane should lift the whole thing in one piece, although the crane is high enough, but figured when on the ground, the tower was never meant to be loaded like that horizontally. A one piece lift would be far cheaper, then the three or so lifts I had envisioned..

 

[Gomer pyle]

Worth the effort to save if in good shape. They last a very long time. I'd never chain one upright to a bucket . Too long and too much leverage.

View attachment 666729

I didn't mean not to save it, just repurpose as fence post or barn poles.